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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    I've posted before that I think there is a role for Martin as an everyday player. I guess the roster I put forward would not include Trevor Larnach or another LH outfielder who might be injured. If other teams saw what the Twins did when they traded for him, I don't think he will get through the DFA process and I think he might be more valuable to the team in the medium term ('26-'27) than Larnach or Outman are.
  2. stringer bell
    Given what the Twins have on the roster, I'm almost in favor of them carrying three catchers. Depending on who are the bench guys, they would have a lot of positional versatility to platoon with and cover backing up all the other positions except for catcher. Kreidler has experience in the infield and outfield, Clemens has played both outfield corners plus first, second and third, and Martin has ML starts at second and in left and center. Caratini has played first base occasionally for years. Jackson made some positive hitting steps in 2025 and has really good defensive catching tools. I think he could help this club in both 2026 and 2027, I don't think the same is true for Outman.
  3. stringer bell
    It's not the end of the world if any of these guys start in St. Paul. Based on the end of last year, both Funderburk and Martin would seem to have earned some runway this year, but the Twins' bullpen acquisitions and not trading a lefty corner outfield bat have made it crowded. I'd like to see if Martin is a full-time player or not. I like his skill set, especially for this team. If he can't play on the left side of the infield or the right side of the outfield, he isn't that versatile and being a platoon player on the short side is very limited play. If Roden is as advertised, he is a plus fielder with slightly above average speed and at least a platoon bat. He's was the "spring king" for the Blue Jays and he's started out strong this year. It seems he is the backup plan in case the heralded prospects fail to click, but if Larnach and Wallner (and Outman) take all the playing time, his major league ability is unproven. It seemed that Funderburk had taken a big step forward last year and had secured a spot in this year's bullpen. Apparently, the front office doesn't think so. With three veteran lefties brought in, Fundy is on the outside looking in, but any of the three veterans could get hurt or be cooked. I'm pretty sure that Funderburk won't spend much time in ;St. Paul.
  4. stringer bell
    A lot of discussion about both Larnach and Wallner in a first baseman thread. Well, here's some more: I find it ironic and puzzling that both players have been tagged with bad defense. Firstly, tools: Larnach turns 29 tomorrow (so not old) and has lost some sprint speed. Wallner is 28 and has lost considerable sprint speed, going from 134th to 375th and he's rated between -1 and -4 in defensive run value--not great, but not horrible. Larnach had positive run value in 2024, but slipped decidedly in limited play in the outfield last year. I don't see why both of them can't be average to better than average outfielders right now, if healthy. Larnach's arm is average and Wallner's is elite. Not every guy over 6 feet gets handed a first baseman's mitt. I don't know if there's something that precludes either of them from moving to first. I wonder if it will happen on their next team.
  5. stringer bell
    I think the Caratini signing makes sense for the duration of the deal. Behind Jeffers, there was no proven catching depth if Jeffers were traded or injured. Jackson seems more a projection (at age 30) instead of proven commodity and everyone else is the system wasn't a major leaguer. Next year would be a crisis without Jeffers. I expect Ryan to be on his way unless the Twins (stunningly) are relevant at the deadline and maybe before that.
  6. stringer bell
    I can't disagree with a single word of Nick's analysis and the key thing here is the lack of upside. Among the primary guys it would appear the best we can hope for is average-ish. In a vacuum signing Bell is fine. He should stretch the lineup and he's durable, but the WAR numbers show he doesn't move the needle much at all by himself. Clemens was a good pickup, but last year may very well be his peak and he still was a below-average hitter overall. Wagaman wasn't very good last year and he's a DFA pickup. Caratini has been a pretty good hitter the last two years, but he's never played more than 23 games at first and that was seven years ago. For several years, I've been waiting for the Twins to have a guy who starts 120 or more games at first for 3-5 years, hits well above average and handles the position defensively. I thought it was Alex Kirilloff, who is next? Mendez? Instead we get 30 somethings who struggle to be average hitters but are surprisingly good fielders on one year deals.
  7. stringer bell
    I think there is a real possibility that Jeffers will be moved before Opening Day. Much like trading Joe Ryan, I wouldn't like it, but I understand getting a high return for a guy when his trade value is high. If a catcher goes down on a contender, Jeffers would be among the first guys the contender would check on (IMHO) and he could bring a lot in return. After looking at Jackson's Savant page, I am intrigued. He has the arm and pop time to help limit a running game and his other defensive tools are good. At the age of 29, he got increased productivity as a hitter (SSS) mostly because of increased power created by a boost in bat speed. Could he come into his own as a hitter at age 30? In that case, he would be a real valuable piece. All of that means that I'd like to find some way to keep Jackson in the organization for this year and perhaps the next. The sure way to do that is to keep him on the major league club. If Jeffers and Caratini are healthy on Opening Day, it would be a daring move to keep three catchers, but I think it could be done.
  8. stringer bell
    Speaking of sprint speed, Orlando Arcia is listed as slower than Brooks Lee. However, his defensive range was listed at the 78th percentile and he produced a run value of +2.
  9. stringer bell
    Well the split squads are down by a combined 15-1 in the middle innings. Maybe a good day to have no TV broadcasts.
  10. stringer bell
    The 2025 version of Clemens was a decent MLB player. He hit right around league average and defended at least acceptably at four positions and is probably the Twins' best defender at two of them. I don't know if he'll sustain the hitting, but he would seem to fill a role on the current team. As for waiver/DFA claims, there hasn't seemed to be many good options exposed on cutdown days recently. It seems the rosters usually are put together with use of the IL with few viable players available to be claimed.
  11. stringer bell
    I would say that Gio doesn't have the range to be considered a shortstop. He makes Lee look fast in comparison. Last year his sprint speed was measured at 24.2, two spots behind Victor Caratini. with only seven guys in MLB slower than him.
  12. stringer bell
    Injuries could change everything. Obviously an injury to a catcher would leave a lane for Jackson, an injury for an outfielder would allow Roden to make the club (most likely) and infield injuries would leave a clearer path for Wagaman, Urshela, Gray or Kreidler.
  13. stringer bell
    I've been all for removing Larnach from the equation by trading him. I don't think the Twins need him as a buffer for Rodriguez, Jenkins and Gonzalez. I also propose they rip off the Outman bandage, in part for the same reason that he stands in the way of the better talent. Roden and Martin can handle center field if/when Buxton is unavailable and Kreidler has quite a bit of experience there as well. Alex Jackson hit a homer yesterday, is regarded as a good defensive catcher and seemed to make positive adjustments with his swing in '25. Is it crazy to suggest keeping him and going with a bench of three other versatile guys? Martin, Kreidler and Clemens perhaps? If Larnach isn't in the picture, then Roden could essentially take his role and we would see if he is worthwhile.
  14. stringer bell
    Another factor in the pitching injury game is that the players are accepting the risk of injury knowing there is a very good chance that they will be able to recover from the injury and pitch again. The number of pitchers who never suffer an injury encompassing at least half a season is pretty small.
  15. stringer bell
    I think Johan's time will come eventually, He is certainly as deserving than some who have made the Hall in past years. He was the best pitcher in the AL for a period of 5-6 years. Times have changed and putting up huge counting numbers in wins and strikeouts just won't happen in the modern game and Johan was around when the changes were happening.
  16. stringer bell
    Raya has shown pretty good stuff in his two outings this spring, including one outing against the Gophers. Yeah, Abel has really good stuff. If there is one guy on the roster that could be better than Ryan/Pablo, I think it is him. It's a good start for both of them and both have to be better than their competition to get an Opening Day roster spot. There are now seven main contenders for five rotation spots. Given how baseball goes in the 2020s, they will all get their chances this year and most likely a few more guys will get starts, as well.
  17. stringer bell
    Prielipp left in the middle of an inning. Pitch count or physical problem?
  18. stringer bell
    Martin 2-2 plus a stolen base.
  19. stringer bell
    Rather impressive two innings for Abel. The battle for rotation spots is on!
  20. stringer bell
    Who's trying to punch a ticket to St. Paul? Abel or Wallner? It looks like Abel gave a pretty good account of himself against Detroit regulars.
  21. stringer bell
    Don't have TV, but I see that the Tiger leadoff guy hit a triple and Wallner is playing right field .........sounds like maybe a misplay.
  22. stringer bell
    It's the second game of the Grapefruit League season, so impressions are not written in stone. It was nice to see the Twins play well and a lot of guys look good. Here is my take: Most of the pitchers looked good, including Bradley, who looks like he's a frontrunner for a rotation spot. Rojas looked very good and Orze looked to be unhittable. Kreidler looked like the real deal at shortstop. If he can hit at all, I'm guessing he is on the Opening Day roster. Roden smashed a cookie and had another hit. I thought he made a less than good effort on a double by Olson immediately after Baldwin's homer. Rodriguez with a homer and a nice catch in the outfield. The homer was late in the game off a minor leaguer, but still he is looking good so far.
  23. stringer bell
    Gonzalez with a ringing double right behind him.
  24. stringer bell
    He’s supposed to have a really good glove. If I’m putting together a Twins roster, I want somebody that can “pick it” backing up at short.
  25. stringer bell
    Paul Molitor is in the Hall of Fame in part because of his stolen bases and base running. In the last half of his career for sure he didn't have blazing speed, but he was one of the best ever base runners. Some of that is instincts you can't really teach or coach, but a lot is just being smart and looking for the right opportunities.
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